STACY. SPLASH!!! A sudden splash of icy water jolts me awake, and I gasp, my body trembling from the shock. Where am I and how long have I been out? My vision blurs, but as I blink rapidly, the dim, cold reality of my surroundings sets in. The walls are made of damp stone, the air thick with the scent of mildew. I try to move, but the cold bite of metal cuffs around my wrists stops me painfully. Panic wells up in my chest as I tug against the restraints. “Jason!” I call out, my voice shaky and hoarse. “Jason, are you here?!” For a moment, there’s only silence, broken by the distant drip of water. Then, I hear a groan from somewhere nearby. “Stacy?” Jason’s voice is faint but unmistakable, and relief floods through me immediately. “Jason! Are you okay?” I cry, straining against the cuffs to try and see him. “I’m fine,” he replies, though his voice sounds weaker than usual. “Where are you?” “I… I don’t know,” I admit, tears prickling my eyes. “I’m cuffed in some cell
STACY. “But wait—what’s the plan before we charge in there?” I ask, grabbing Jason’s arm to stop him. Jason turns his head slightly, a wry smirk tugging at his lips. “The plan?” he echoes, his voice low and calm despite the tension crackling around us. “The plan not to shift because this is a small space and they could take advantage of us if we shifted.” I blink at him, momentarily stunned by his sheer confidence and plan. Then, I nod, pushing out my claws from my fingers. “No pressure then.” Jason’s smirk deepens, his eyes flashing with something almost playful. “You’ve handled worse with me, haven’t you?” I let out a breath, as our last encounter with Victor flash before my eyes. “Guess this is a good time to find out if all that arena training paid off.” His gaze softens for the briefest moment, and he places a hand on my cheek. “It will. You’re stronger than you think, Stacy.” The weight of his familiar words settles over me, grounding me, and I square my shoulders.
JASON. (Days later and Jason is still in a coma) I’m walking, or at least I think I’m walking dressed in a long sleeved white gown. The ground beneath me feels strange, almost weightless, as if I’m floating. Where am I and where is Stacy?I glance around looking for her until I notice there’s a white light ahead of me—warm and inviting, pulling me closer with every step. I don’t know how I got here, but it feels oddly peaceful than where I previously was with Stacy... Then I hear it—a voice, faint and distant, calling my name. “Alpha Jason Barron!” I stop and turn, scanning the vast emptiness around me. That’s when I see him—or rather, me. A figure steps out from the shadows, and he looks exactly like me... This moment feels like deja vu. But there’s something different—his eyes are sharper, filled with a wisdom I can’t quite place. “Am I… dead?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. The figure shakes his head, his expression calm but serious. “Not yet. It’s not our time, Jas
STACY. I can’t stop smiling. Every breath Jason takes feels like a miracle, every groggy word he speaks is a gift I never thought I’d receive again. The doctors had been grim, their faces tight with concern every time they checked on him. 'The poison from the dagger was too strong,' they had said. 'We can’t promise anything.' But Jason has always been a fighter. And he fought his way back to me. Now, as I sit by his bedside, watching him sip water like it’s the most exhausting task, I feel nothing but gratitude. Gratitude for his strength, for the fact that I can hold his hand, hear his voice, and see his smirk again. Victor and his mother are gone, their reign of terror finally at an end. I used to think I’d never feel safe again, that their shadows would linger over us forever. But now, with Jason awake and their threat eliminated, I can finally breathe. “Help me get out of bed,” he says with his usual smirk plastered on his handsome face. “Of course,” I say, moving to
STACY. Two days later, we’re finally discharged from the hospital. The fresh air feels incredible as we step outside, and though I’m relieved Jason is recovering well, my thoughts are entirely focused on one thing—our son, Liam. The drive to Jason’s parents’ house feels longer than it should. Jason, sensing my impatience, squeezes my hand occasionally but says nothing. When we arrive, the smell of food drifts out to greet us. “They’re having lunch,” Jason says, his tone light. “Perfect timing.” Inside, we’re immediately greeted by warm smiles and the sound of clinking dishes. Jason’s parents, Luna Linda and Alpha John, sit at the long dining table, mid-conversation. But the moment Liam spots us, everything else fades. “Mommy! Daddy!” he shouts, leaping out of his seat and sprinting toward us. "Oh my baby," I crouch down, wrapping my arms around him as Jason joins, pulling us into a family hug. For a moment, the world feels perfect. “I missed you so much!” Liam says, his sm
JASON. “Stacy, what are you doing here?” I shoot up from my office chair, my pulse pounding in my ears… No one was allowed to come up here until I was done with my special meeting. Damn it… Liam, blissfully oblivious to the tension in the room, beams and bounces toward me but Stacy stops him mid step. “Daddy! You forgot! We’re supposed to go shopping for Grandpa’s birthday present today!” My eyes dart to the man sitting across from me, his presence suddenly suffocating this whole situation. Alpha Velkan Hugo rises from his chair slowly, his dark eyes narrowing as he studies the scene before him. “Well, well… Shopping for birthday presents, Barron?” Velkan’s voice is low and dripping with mockery. “Since when did you have a son as old as he is… and get back with your sexy ex-wife?” he asks practically drooling over Stacy. My fists tighten at my sides, anger and jealousy burning through me like wildfire. “Velkan, stop it.” I warn him, my voice dropping, low and razor-sharp. But h
JASON. Minutes later, Liam and I walk through the mall, his small hand tugging at mine as we pass shops filled with colorful displays and bustling shoppers who all greet me with a submissive bow. The lively atmosphere feels like a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my heart, but Liam’s excitement is contagious, his eyes lighting up at every store window we pass. Finally, we find the perfect store—a place lined with shelves of outdoorsy gadgets and trinkets. Liam darts toward a rack of fishing rods, his eyes lighting up. “Daddy, look! This one has a shiny handle! Grandpa would love it!” he exclaims, pointing to a sleek rod with an engraved grip. “That’s a great choice,” I say, smiling despite the tension in my chest. “Now let’s find something else to go with it.” “More presents for grandpa, yay!” Liam’s energy is relentless as he picks out a fishing hat adorned with quirky feathers and a leather-bound notebook for Grandpa’s fishing notes. Once done, the shop atten
STACY. (Meanwhile at the border) ‘How could Jason have gotten involved with Alpha Velkan Hugo of all people in the world?’ The thought refuses to leave me, circling endlessly in my mind... I can’t believe what happened in Jason's office, let alone make sense of it when our relationship was just getting better. I wonder what business Jason is doing with Velkan? Suddenly, Greg pulls the car smoothly to a stop at the border's checkpoint, his hands steady on the wheel. I snap out of my thoughts and glance at him briefly, noting the way his eyes flicker to the rearview mirror, always vigilant. “ Ma'am, we’ve arrived,” he says, his tone formal but respectful. “Thanks, Greg,” I reply, opening the door. “Would you like me to wait here, or should I park nearby?” he asks. “Wait here. This shouldn’t take long,” I say, smoothing my dress as I step out. He nods, his expression carefully neutral. “Understood, ma’am.” I approach my company truck parked by the side of the road an
STACY. As I drive toward the main road leading out of the pack, my thoughts circle back to Hannah’s earlier revelation. She knows too much about Jason’s reckless plan for it to be a coincidence, and the more I think about it, the less sense it makes. I glance over at her, sitting in the passenger seat and scrolling through her phone. “Hannah,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual but firm, “how exactly did you find out about Velkan and Jason’s plan?” Hannah freezes for a split second, her fingers hovering over the screen, before she looks at me with feigned innocence. “What do you mean? I overheard it, of course.” I narrow my eyes at her. “Overheard it where? And when? This isn’t exactly something you’d catch in casual conversation at the coffee shop.” She shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable under my scrutiny. “Stacy, it’s not a big deal. Alpha Jason might have mentioned it once in passing, and I just pieced things together.” I snort, gripping the steering wheel ti
STACY. (Next morning) I wake up to the soft morning light streaming through the curtains, stretching as the events of last night play in my mind. The party was a success, but Jason’s sudden disappearance keeps nagging at me. I slip out of bed and wrap myself in a robe, padding down the hall toward the dining room. Maybe he’s already awake, sitting at the table with that smug smirk of his, pretending he wasn’t up to something suspicious. When I step into the dining room, it’s empty except for Ava, who’s setting out breakfast for one. She looks up and greets me with a polite smile. “Good morning, Ma'am. Did you sleep well?” “Morning, Ava. I slept fine,” I reply, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Have you seen Jason?” Her smile falters slightly. “Alpha Jason didn’t come back last night after he left for the party.” Her words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I blink, trying to process. “He… he didn’t come back?” “No, ma’am,” Ava says, her voice calm but hesitant. “I as
STACY. (Two hours later) The chatter of the last few guests fades into the background as I stand near the entrance of the venue, double-checking the checklist in my head for the night’s wrap-up. Suddenly, I hear Alpha John’s warm voice behind me. “Stacy, dear,” he says, stepping closer with Luna Linda at his side, Liam’s small hand tucked safely in his. “It’s getting late, and you still seem busy here. Linda and I were thinking it might be best if Liam stayed with us tonight. What do you think?” I glance down at Liam, who looks up at me with his big, curious eyes. “Would you like that, sweetheart?” He nods eagerly. “Can I, Mom? Please?” A small smile tugs at my lips as I crouch to his level, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “Alright, but only if you promise to be a good boy and listen to your grandparents.” “I will, I promise!” Liam says, his enthusiasm lighting up his face. Standing back up, I turn to Alpha John and Luna Linda. “Thank you for offering. I app
JASON. An hour into the party, I find myself leaning against one of the tall cocktail tables, nursing a glass of whiskey as my eyes trail Stacy across the room. She’s in her element—composed, graceful, effortlessly weaving through the crowd while ignoring me and ensuring everything runs seamlessly. The guests are clearly impressed, and so am I. How I wish she knew I won’t be here for the entire party, that I’ll be leaving soon to deal with Velkan, maybe she wouldn’t be so quick to freeze me out.But even now, with her focus locked on her work, I know she feels me watching her. I catch it in the way her gaze flickers my way—fleeting, careful, pretending not to see me. And every time she looks away like I don’t exist, it only stokes the smug satisfaction curling in my chest. She might ignore me, but she’s not fooling anyone—least of all me... “Oh, Jason, stop staring or you’ll burn a hole through her,” Daniel murmurs as he passes by, smirking at me. I ignore him, pretending his wor
JASON. I watch Stacy disappear into the crowd, the sleek blue gown I bought her hugging her figure in a way that has no business being legal. Every sway of her hips makes it harder to look away. But what really grates on me is how she smiled at Daniel—And that hug? Too comfortable for my liking. 'We should have been here earlier than going last minute suit shopping for Daniel who showed up earlier than us,' my wolf grumbles, his irritation matching mine. A growl vibrates in my chest before I can stop it, and Daniel, standing just beside me, raises an amused brow. “Relax, Jason,” he says, his tone dripping with mockery. “What’s with the death glare? Jealous already?” “She’s my mate,” I bite back, turning to him. “Keep your hands off her.” Daniel laughs—a deep, hearty sound that makes my fists twitch. “Your mate, huh? You sure about that? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re still trying to convince her of that yourself.” I scowl, narrowing my eyes. “Don’
STACY. (Later in the evening) My room is a flurry of activity—shoes by the bed, hangers draped across the chair, and Liam standing in the middle of it all, fidgeting in his little navy-blue suit. The tie sits slightly off-center, giving him a mischievous charm. “Mommy, do I have to wear this?” He whines, squirming as I straighten his tie for the third time. “I look like a grown-up” I kneel to his level feeling much better than earlier at the venue after the dizzy spell incident. I brush a stray strand of hair from his forehead. “Yes, sweetheart. You’re going to a grown-up party, so you have to look the part. Trust me, you will be the most handsome boy there will be tonight.” His nose scrunches up, but a grin sneaks through, his cheeks flushing pink. “Even more handsome than Daddy?” he asks and my hands still for the briefest moment before resuming their task... I wonder why Liam always brings up his father in almost all of our conversation... Nevertheless, I swallow the a
JASON. “Don't worry Alpha, Miss white is fine,” The medic assures me for the third time that Stacy will be fine after passing out for a few seconds, but my chest still feels like it’s in a vice. I can't believe she starved herself to reach such a point. What was she thinking? I watch her finish the last bite of her sandwich, her delicate fingers brushing crumbs off the table. She looks paler than usual, her sharp edges softened by exhaustion and something I can't put in words. “Happy now?” she mutters, her voice flat, though a hint of vulnerability lingers beneath. “Not even close,” I reply, stepping closer to the table. My tone is low, more serious than I intended. “Why would you starve yourself, Stacy? You need to take better care of yourself.” Her lips twitch, as if she wants to argue, but instead, she drops the napkin on the table. “I don’t have time for this... Leave me already, I still have so much to do.” she says, trying to deflect. Leave her in this condition? Is
STACY. I nod. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Expanding the business just makes sense, especially with how many connections I will potentially make after tonight.” Lizzy studies me for a moment. “Does this mean you’re staying? You know, for good?” I glance at her briefly before returning my focus to the road. “It doesn’t mean anything. You run the office in blue moon and I run this one here. It’s just business nothing more.” She hums thoughtfully but doesn’t push further. Soon, we arrive at the venue, my team of temporary workers is already bustling around, arranging centerpieces, and double-checking the decorations. The energy is contagious, and I jump right into the chaos, giving directions and making sure everything is on schedule to keep my mind off Jason and his mess. By midday, the sun is high, and the venue is starting to come together beautifully. I’m just about to inspect the replaced floral arrangements when a familiar figure confidently strides through
STACY. (Next day) I stare into the mirror, groaning under my breath. My reflection mocks me: pale skin, shadows under my eyes, and a tiredness I can’t shake no matter how much makeup I pile on. ‘We look like death warmed over us,’ my wolf grumbles in my head, her tone a mix of concern and irritation. “I can see that… Thanks for the reminding me,” I mutter, running a brush through my hair for the third time. ‘I’m just saying,’ she continues, ‘You knew today’s important but you decide to keep us awake the whole night.. You’ve been working on this party for weeks, and now you’re going to show up looking like a zombie to potential clients? How professional.’ “Ugh, Piper…it’s not like Alpha John’s guests are coming to see me,” I counter, forcing a laugh to hide my unease. “They’ll be too busy admiring the decorations to care what I look like.” ‘Maybe, but you care. Don’t pretend you don’t.’ I sigh, shoving my sunglasses onto my face. “Whatever. Let’s just survive today. The